This video highlights the Jeep Wrangler TJ door handle (pan handle) replacement (full doors). The removal of the Window Crank Arm and clip, removal and installation of the “Gator” or “Saw” Clips and the removal and installation of the handle key (video referred to as cotter key or retaining clip) for the door opening bar are all challenging if you do not know how it operates. This video is longer and takes the time to help detail the function of key parts and illustrates how to remove / install them. We suggest viewing the entire video before you start so you can fully understand the scope of the job and also better understand the components. Otherwise, please forward to the parts of the video best able to help you on this job. As always, please focus on safety and use a professional service technician if you do not have the general experience. #jeepwrangler #jeeps #jeeptj
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Great video, wish I would have watched before I started the job. I was going to be cheap and remove the handle and paint it. After removing the panel and looking at how it was in there I knew removing it without breaking the retainers was a long shot. Thank you for posting this very helpful video.
I am French ; I love your video, you are patient and you explain extraordinary well
thanks again
John when u order the part does it have to be specific to drivers side or passengers side? And by the way your video was awesome
This has been the best video that explains how to remove the handle in place. Thank you for the awesome video and keep up the great work!
I have to say, that was one of the best how-to videos, bud. It would have been literally impossible to figure out that task without someone showing you, and the detail and pitfalls to look for, and step by step commentary along with really fantastic zooms made this something even a novice could accomplish. Being a novice and a first timer changing out door handles, this took me start to finish 2 hours. For those interested, def. take the doors off, find a flat surface like an outdoor coffee table or something so that you can access it from the side or you will never get this done. A couple of other notes to keep in mind – the cotter pin is much smaller than it appears in the video. I used a screw driver to pop it out but it can get lost easy, so try and use a magnetic screw driver and I found it simply stuck to the end of the flat head when I pushed it slowly out. The other note is that the gator clips are a real pain to get off if rusty (like mine were) and then even more of a pain to get back on. The trick to getting them off was not only to pry up the hinge pin like he showed, but also to jimmy the gator clip left and right with a screwdriver to loosen it up and then use a bit of brute force to push it out the opposite way. The trick to reconnecting them to the new latch is honestly to get your wife or a daughter or someone with tiny hands. If you have mits like I do you will never maneuver them in the small space between the door panel and the latch. Having a second person guiding the gator clip also helps with a flashlight. I found that part took the longest and was the most tedious and annoying. Cotter pin goes back in backwards like he showed pretty easily from there but again use someone with small hands to get in there. I purchased the bent needle nose ones he suggested from harbor freight but they were too big to get in there. Little fingers work the best. For what it's worth, while I have everything apart, refreshed the side mirrors and am taking the door panels to get vinyl wrapped along with the lower panels of the dash to match the exterior paint. anyone can feel free to ping me if you are interested in how that turned out or what I did there. Thanks again to John's Jeep Garage for making this possible – you get extra Kharma for that one brother.
Amazing detail. Really appreciate it. I've considered going into my door for some time, but knew what a PITA it would be. This gives me a lot more confidence if I do. One thing I'd consider doing is put some polyfil (or something) in those door panels before putting them back together for added sound deadening or insulation.
Your video also made me realize that the body shop that replaced my window years ago didn't put that crank washer back in when they put it back together. That crank never did feel as tight to the door as it used to.
Great video! Didnt realise how much of a frustrating job i was undertaking when i ordered new handles haha. Thanks again, I would never had known those gator clips were effectively loose in there! thanks
Very detailed. Thank you. I am gonna tackle this job next week and now I think it is very doable. Never had my doors off so this might be the best excuse to do it! Thanks again!
This is by far the BEST video instruction on how to replace the handle. Much, much better than any other video out there. THANK YOU for providing all the necessary details to do the job.
John, thank you for the best video on how to tackle this job! I also want to thank you for all the effort and time you put into the video, it was very appreciated!! The efforts you have to put into explaining and videoing really do make the job a lot longer and that effort is very appreciated!
Really good demonstration of how to replace TJ door handles. Thank you.
Did you use silicone to re-attach the plastic to the door?
Nice job! I'll be honest… I did skip over the detailed explanation on how the the gator clips work and jumped to the part you were actually working inside the door. That was a helpful demonstration for sure. Thank you!
Awesome video mate. Massive difference to the look of the Jeep